Ellen Marie (Rixen) Lantz, 71, Dickinson, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2025. Ellen’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 3, 2026 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Brandon Wolf as the celebrant. Inurnment will follow at the Dickinson Mausoleum. Visitation will be on Friday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m., with Deacon Bob Zent presiding. Visitation will continue on Saturday one hour prior to the Mass at the church.
Ellen was born on December 29, 1953, the second oldest of ten children born to Lynn and Rosalyn (Senn) Rixen. She grew up on the family ranch south of Richardton and attended her first few primary school years in a rural, one-room schoolhouse. She then finished grade school and high school in Richardton.
Ellen’s goal was always to be a nurse. She graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Practical Nursing as a Licensed Practical Nurse, LPN, in August of 1972. She began her nursing career at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Dickinson, working in the Obstetrics, Labor & Delivery, and Mother- Baby Departments, which she loved.
Ellen married Gary Lantz on September 23, 1972, and raised three children: Jason, Jessica, and Eric.
Ellen later enrolled in the Dickinson State University Nursing Program and graduated as a Registered Nurse, RN, in 1988. Ellen had an untiring work ethic and held many part-time jobs while working full-time at the hospital. She worked as a Dental Assistant at the Face and Jaw Surgery Center, Stark County New Mother/Baby Home Assistance, The Car Seat Safety Program, and even assisted Gary in the family’s Custom Cabinetry Manufacturing business. She was also a member of the Bicentennial Belles Homemakers Club.
In 2000, Ellen’s nursing career expanded, accepting a position in Bismarck at St Alexius Health in the Operating Rooms Department, primarily with the Cardiac Surgical Team.
Ellen and Gary purchased a home in Bismarck, and she continued her career for 19 years before she retired and they returned to Dickinson. Ellen loved nursing, mentoring new nurses, and her abundance of compassion and empathy radiated throughout her 46-year nursing career. Her friends were numerous, and she missed them all after retirement. Ellen loved and adored her children and grandchildren, who returned their love to her unconditionally. She loved animals, especially dogs and horses which would gravitate to her, and she loved that.
Ellen is survived by her husband of 53 years, Gary Lantz, Dickinson; children: Jason (Amy) Lantz, Dickinson, Jessica (David) Orosz, Lakewood, CO, and Eric (LaLonnie) Lantz, Bismarck; grandchildren: Hayden Yagos (Katherine Woodcock), Arvada, CO, Kylie (Brandon) Mahlmann, Dickinson, Sydney Lantz (fiancé, Dontae Maloney), Bismarck, and Emersyn Lantz, Dickinson; step-grandchildren: Schuylar Pippin, Taylor Orosz, and Madison Orosz, all of Denver, CO; and Stacy Bautz Bismarck; great-grandchildren: Altais Woodcock Yagos and Briggs Mahlmann; siblings: Marybeth Besosa, DE, Bethany Beach, DE, Carolyn Cloyd, Santa Fe, TX, Lois Wanner, Golden Valley, Tom Rixen (Yvonne Shatswell), Green Bay, WI, Terry (Sandi) Rixen, Peoria, AZ, Sarah (Les) Alpert, Richardton, Grace Rixen, Richardton, and Tracy (Deb) Rixen, Richardton; step-siblings: Tammy Weiler, Dickinson, Bryon Kuntz, Minneapolis, MN; and Joel (Sylvia) Kuntz, Minneapolis, MN.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lynn and Rosalyn Rixen; stepmother, Peggy Rixen Kuntz; sister, Lisa Rixen; brothers-in-law, Ronald Wanner and Jim Cloyd.
